The words "ad'dict" and "addict'"
have become common to our present vocabulary. The dictionary
has a rather short definition: ad'dict is someone who
is addicted to the habit of taking a substance, such as a drug,
etc. To be addicted is to give oneself over to a certain
practice or habit.
The word bondage has a very similar meaning: a-villein service
or tenure, b. serfdom, slavery, c. subjection to compulsion,
as of an appetite or duty. Unfortunately, these words almost
always indicate a negative situation that needs to be turned
around. Being in bondage to things that do not produce positive
results, bring happiness and improvements in our life style
is a direct result of living a life without the living relationship
to a loving God who has made provision for people to be free
to worship Him in Spirit and Truth. These negative ties to the
kingdom of darkness must be broken!
We must come in contact with the TRUTH of God's Word.
Jesus said: "I AM the way, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, no
man cometh unto the Father but by ME." John 15:16. And
in John 8:36 he said: "If the SON therefore shall make
you free you shall be free indeed." Jesus can break any
bondage that you are willing to surrender to Him.
The first step out of addiction & bondage is to
admit that you are trapped in a habit that is taking you down
a path of destruction, without hope and without God's plan for
you.
The second step is to turn to God and the Bible for
instruction. Read John 3:16-21 and begin to believe and accept
God's provision for your sin, which is rebellion against God's
will and plan for all people.
The third step is to repent with genuine sorrow for
your past sinful life and turn from all the former sinful activities,
renouncing all the addictions to evil and negative habits. True
repentance is a constant realignment of action and disposition
away from those things that offend God or justly offend men.
The fourth step is to pray to God in the name of Jesus,
asking for forgiveness and a new life and a new understanding
of God's will and plan.
The fifth step is to begin reading the Bible daily.
Some people like to start in the New Testament and read all
the way through, while others like to read some of the Old Testament
and some of the New Testament. You may enjoy reading the Book
of John first and then start reading with other plans. But the
main thing is to read daily, with prayer, to understand what
the WORD is saying to you, as a new believer.
The sixth step is to find a friend who is well grounded
in spiritual principles to help you understand what you are
reading in this NEW field of learning.
The seventh step is to find a church that teaches the
Full Gospel as found in Scripture.
Learning to be Filled With the Spirit - as in Acts 2:38 is vitally
important to spiritual growth and progress in becoming a mature
Christian, able to help and guide others.
